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It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!

Hi! I am new to the forum and seeking advice. We got my daughter a keyboard last Christmas and she started lessons. She's doing amazingly well, and her teacher and I both want to move her up to a "real" piano.

I found a 1970s Acrosonic console on Craigslist. Our piano teacher checked it out for me in person and had nothing but good things to say. It's been refurbished with new hammers and dampers. She played it and said it sounded great, and the cabinet was "pristine". She says it's basically in mint condition. She's a fan of Acrosonics, for people with space limitations (as we have), and seems to think it is worth what the owner is asking. Your thoughts?

From what I have read about spinet pianos, I was under the impression that spinet pianos are not worth considering (compared to larger uprights). How is it different in this case?

Well, first of all, as the OP confirmed this is not a spinet.

Second, I think a good spinet (such as an acrosonic) would be worth considering if that's all your budget/space will allow. I'd take a good acrosonic spinet over most digitals. Yes, I agree that larger verticals are better, but that's not always an option.

Not to mention that most any larger upright around $800 would probably be ancient and/or totally beat, neither of which are likely to be good for a young student. I was surprised by how much agreement there seemed to be on acrosonics being among the best small/affordable pianos when I was looking. We ended up going the ancient upright route because we're pretty casual players and chose the big sound and "character" over consistency / reliability / ease of playing. Maybe not the smartest decision, but we're having fun with it

Not to mention that most any larger upright around $800 would probably be ancient and/or totally beat, neither of which are likely to be good for a young student. I was surprised by how much agreement there seemed to be on acrosonics being among the best small/affordable pianos when I was looking. We ended up going the ancient upright route because we're pretty casual players and chose the big sound and "character" over consistency / reliability / ease of playing. Maybe not the smartest decision, but we're having fun with it

This seems like a good choice, I hope she loves it!

Rob

It always comes down to personal preference. If you're happy with your decision, then you made the right one.

Not to mention that most any larger upright around $800 would probably be ancient and/or totally beat, neither of which are likely to be good for a young student. I was surprised by how much agreement there seemed to be on acrosonics being among the best small/affordable pianos when I was looking. We ended up going the ancient upright route because we're pretty casual players and chose the big sound and "character" over consistency / reliability / ease of playing. Maybe not the smartest decision, but we're having fun with it

This seems like a good choice, I hope she loves it!

Rob

I also have the option of a 1950-something Grinell upright player piano for just the cost of moving it. But as you said...it's totally beat up, hasn't been maintained, no bench, etc.

For our purposes, and space, I'm opting to pay more for a smaller, better-maintained piano. It will have to go in my (somewhat) formal living room, the first room anyone sees when they walk in the house, so I want something that looks nice, as well as performs well.

The movers and I are scheduled to go pick it up and pay for it on Monday. I had pretty much already decided, but came across this forum while researching and thought I'd run it by you all while there was still time to back out if I needed to.

I think I am almost as excited as my daughter. Maybe I'll even try to start picking it back up again....I haven't played since I was a kid. Maybe my third daughter will want to try it in a year or two as well.

I don't want to be a buzz-kill but $800 for a well maintained Acro is a fair price but no steal. Right now on Craigslist for Los Angeles, no Acro (console) is listed for more than $500. I do however really like Acro consoles. They have a polite, musical sound that makes them great home pianos and they're not so heavy that you can't pull it out to vacuum back there once in a while.

CStrong, welcome to PW. When do you start your lessons? It's what happened to me and is a not so uncommon story around here.

Kurt

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I don't want to be a buzz-kill but $800 for a well maintained Acro is a fair price but no steal. Right now on Craigslist for Los Angeles, no Acro (console) is listed for more than $500. I do however really like Acro consoles. They have a polite, musical sound that makes them great home pianos and they're not so heavy that you can't pull it out to vacuum back there once in a while.

CStrong, welcome to PW. When do you start your lessons? It's what happened to me and is a not so uncommon story around here.

Kurt

Thanks! You're not a buzz-kill. I was not thinking it was a "steal"....just looking to make sure I'm not getting completely ripped off. I wouldn't be surprised if I get the urge to piggy-back off my daughter's lessons sometime soon. At least I can still read music...it's just that my hands don't automatically do what my eyes are seeing anymore...I have to stop and think about it. LOL!

Some Spinet Trivia for those Spinet Doomsayers out there. All of Jerry Lee Lewis' Recordings were done on a Spinet in the Studio. Sure he played Grands in Larger halls but his Preference for Spinet Pianos is very well documented.

pianoloverus
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Originally Posted By: Nash. Piano Rescue

Some Spinet Trivia for those Spinet Doomsayers out there. All of Jerry Lee Lewis' Recordings were done on a Spinet in the Studio. Sure he played Grands in Larger halls but his Preference for Spinet Pianos is very well documented.